Tampa has 14 state parks within 50 miles, and three of the closest each go a different way. Hillsborough River, 15 miles northeast, has Class II rapids, which are rare in Florida, and the site of a Second Seminole War fort. Honeymoon Island, 24 miles west off Dunedin, has more than four miles of Gulf beach and one of the last virgin slash pine forests. Little Manatee River, 20 miles south, is a blackwater river the state calls an Outstanding Florida Water. This is the outdoor half of the day. The eating half is at the end: one table on the way back from each park.
We run State Park Near Me, a directory of every state park in the country, and we are a guest here. Top of Tampa asked for the parks. They supplied the restaurants.
The day, in order
All three parks open at 8 a.m. and close at sunset, every day of the year. Each has something closed, so check before you go. At Hillsborough River the cafe, the recreation hall, two pavilions, the Seminole trail and parts of the Rapids Trail are still closed, and the canoe, kayak and bike rentals are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. At Little Manatee River the 6.5-mile North Trail, which the park calls one of the premier hiking trails of Southwest Florida, has been closed since November 2024. At Honeymoon Island the northernmost mile of the sandspit has been cut off by erosion, and the park says not to go into or through the water there.
Hillsborough River
Just minutes from downtown, this park has seven miles of nature trails and something few Florida rivers have: Class II rapids. Walk along the rapids, fish the river, picnic under pavilions built in the 1930s, or paddle the river in a rented canoe or kayak; rentals run Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last launch an hour before close, and are closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The park also holds Fort Foster State Historic Site. During the Second Seminole War the fort guarded the bridge over the Hillsborough River and served as a supply point, and soldiers held it on and off from December 1836 to April 1838. Entry is $6 per car. Some areas are still closed, including the cafe, the Seminole trail and parts of the Rapids Trail. The address is 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassa.
Honeymoon Island
Two miles west of Dunedin, Honeymoon Island has more than four miles of beach and a three-mile trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests. Look up for eagles, osprey and great horned owls, and down for gopher tortoises. Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking and cycling are all popular, and the Rotary Centennial Nature Center explains the island’s history, including how it got its name. The island is also where the ferry leaves for Caladesi Island State Park, and Florida Beach Services sells casual food by the ferry dock. Since April 2024, erosion has cut the northernmost mile of the sandspit off from the main island, and the park warns of deep water, sudden drop-offs and strong currents there; do not wade across. Entry is $8 per car, and the park entrance is at 1 Causeway Boulevard in Dunedin.
Little Manatee River
The Little Manatee River starts in a swamp near Fort Lonesome and flows almost 40 miles to Tampa Bay. It is designated an Outstanding Florida Water and is part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. Inside the park, the river runs 4.5 miles through 11 different natural communities, including sand pine and oak scrub and oxbow wetlands, which you can explore by canoe, on foot or on horseback. The park’s 6.5-mile North Trail, a stacked loop through the wilderness half of the park, has been closed since November 2024, but more than 15 miles of equestrian and multi-use trails wind through the southern half. There are riverside picnic pavilions and a canoe and kayak launch. Entry is $5 per car. The park is at 215 Lightfoot Road in Wimauma.
The full list
Directions, maps and the official site for each of these, plus the other state parks within 50 miles, are on our side. The state parks near Tampa page on State Park Near Me lists all 14, closest first, with a page for every park.
Where to eat after
The parks sit in three directions, so here is one table on the way back from each, from three Top of Tampa neighborhood lists: Seminole Heights, Downtown Dunedin and Riverview. The scores are theirs, not ours.
Rooster and the Till
Insider Score8.6
New American · Seminole Heights
After Hillsborough River, in Seminole Heights on the way back into the city. The neighborhood’s special-occasion room, with a brunch series that draws a line at the door and servers who remember names.
The Black Pearl
Insider Score8.8
French · Downtown Dunedin
After Honeymoon Island, two miles back in downtown Dunedin. A small, intimate dining room built for an occasion; pan-seared fish and grilled steak headline, and with so few tables, book ahead.
Donovan's Meatery
Insider Score7.3
Steakhouse · Riverview
After Little Manatee River, in Riverview on the drive back north. Ribeye, filet mignon and prime rib anchor the menu, and the bar is strong enough that regulars come just to drink.
Scores are Top of Tampa Insider Scores. Restaurant photographs from Yelp.
Sources. Florida State Parks pages for Hillsborough River, Honeymoon Island and Little Manatee River state parks, checked October 21, 2026. Distances are straight-line from the Tampa town center, from State Park Near Me. Restaurant scores and notes from the Top of Tampa Seminole Heights, Downtown Dunedin and Riverview guides, October 2026. Top photo: the beach at Honeymoon Island by Christopher Hollis, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain; park photo credits are under each photo.
State Park Near Me writes for State Park Near Me. State Park Near Me lists every state park, historic site, beach and recreation area in the United States, with directions and the nearest other parks. Every park page links to the park's official site. This piece was written for Top of Tampa.